Cultivating learning through stories

Pennsylvania – Our Second State

My husband is from Pennsylvania, so this state is of particular interest to our family! Founded by William Penn in 1681 as the Province of Pennsylvania, also known as the Pennsylvania Colony, it was the second-to-last colony to be founded but became the second state to be admitted into the Union. It was home to our nation’s temporary capital, Philadelphia, while Washington, D.C., was being built, and it is the birthplace of the Declaration of Independence and our Constitution.

Pennsylvania is one of only four states also known as a Commonwealth, thus making its full state name “The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.” Kentucky, Virginia, and Massachusetts are the only other states that are officially Commonwealths, though some states use the name commonwealth and state interchangeably in their state constitutions. After the Revolutionary War, having Commonwealth in the state name was a sign that the former colony was now ruled by a collection of its citizens.

Click the photo below to get a brief introduction to the history of Pennsylvania. Then check out some links in this post to find some activities, printables, and ideas for further study!

William Penn

William Penn acquired the Pennsylvania Colony from King Charles II of England as repayment of debt owed to Penn’s father, Admiral William Penn. Charles granted Penn the large area west and south of New Jersey, which Penn called Sylvania, latin for “woods.” However, the king wanted the colony to be named Pennsylvania in honor of Penn’s father (and so known as Penn’s Woods).

Penn’s ideas inspired our nation’s founding fathers. In fact, the democratic principles set forth by Penn served as inspiration for the United States Constitution!

State Symbols

Maps

Use a printable county map and then complete this map activity. (This activity is best suited for older students and designed for residents of Pennsylvania; if you are not a PA resident, you can skip the first question or choose a county to “pretend” to live as part of the activity.)

Older students can practice using a mileage chart while determining the distance between two cities.

Interactive Online Activities

If you’d like to visit some beautiful places in PA but can’t work out a trip, be sure to check out this collection of Story Maps and take a virtual field trip to a variety of places!

Junior Ranger Guides

Junior Ranger guides are free, printable activity books to be used when visiting national parks. Even though they are made for actual visits, we have found the guides to be useful and fun for home use as well! Grab some Pennsylvania-specific guides below:

In 1754 the battle of Fort Necessity was the opening action of the French and Indian War and set the stage for the American Revolution.

The Battle of Gettysburg was the Civil War’s bloodiest battle and a turning point due to a major Union victory. It also was the inspiration for President Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address.

DISCLOSURE

This site does incorporate paid advertising and affiliate links.

The Story Farmer is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.